With the weather hotting up and the evenings growing longer, the open road calls to many a fan of two wheels. A huge number of lesser-known cycling events take place across Europe during the summer and early autumn months, and if you’re excited for the finale of the Tour de France you should definitely check out these other events too.
Whether you’re a keen cyclist looking for a place to race, or a fan who simply wants to witness these world class athletes in training, these lesser-known cycling events in Europe provide stunning views, exciting terrain and a buzzing atmosphere for spectators.
Tour de Wallonie, Belgium – 18-22 July 2020
Head to Belgium for the perfect cure to the post-race blues of the Tour de France’s final stages, and see Europe’s rising stars take part in this five-day event across the Wallonian countryside. A beautiful and awe-inspiring route for cyclists, the professional race crosses through areas rich with stories and history, making it the perfect event for a bit of sightseeing along the way. This year’s finishing line lands in Thuin, a small municipality two hours’ drive from the port of Zeebrugge, whose UNESCO World Heritage Site belfry has stood tall through conflicts such as the French Revolutionary Wars and World War I.
Schaal Sels, Belgium – 23 August 2020
First held in honour of Jacques-Charles Sels, a well-known Belgian sports journalist who died in 1921, Schaal Sels embodies features from all of the sport’s most famous events wrapped up in one day on the varied 200-kilometre route. Each year, 15,000 spectators flock to see professional riders and determined up-and-comers take on Classics-style cobbles, stunning off-road segments and a broad Tour-style stretch for the breathless race to the finish.
La Ronde Picarde, France – 12 September 2020
For easier terrain with panoramic views, La Ronde Picarde is a scenic one-day race along the northern French coast. The route passes historic battlefields, regal cliffs and stunning lakes before culminating at the Bay of the Somme – widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world. There are three different routes available depending on ability: Granfondo at 50 kilometres, Mediofondo at 128 kilometres, and Rando at 180 kilometres, each of which offers largely flat (if slightly windy) roads for the duration. The starting line in Abbeville is just over an hour away from the port of Calais.
Ready to start your two-wheeled trip? Find out more about travelling with bikes on P&O Ferries and plan your visit to one of these lesser-known cycling events in Europe today.
